Ultraviolet monitoring device

ABSTRACT

Monitoring a user&#39;s exposure to ultraviolet radiation, including determining the amount of radiation to which the user is exposed from different directions, respectively.

The present application is a continuation of the co-pending Ser. No.14/470,419, filed on Aug. 27, 2014.

The present invention pertains to a device for monitoring a user'sexposure to ultraviolet radiation.

BACKGROUND

Ultraviolet (UV) light consists of radiation having a wavelengthanywhere from 100 nm to 400 nm. Exposure to excessive UV radiation fromthe sun can be harmful, as it can lead to skin cancers such as Melanoma.Global incidence of Melanoma has increased to almost three times to whatit was in 1981. This increase in skin cancer incidence is thought to beconnected with an increase in recreational exposure to the sun and ahistory of sunburn. The potential harmfulness of incoming UV radiationis dependent on its intensity, which is measured on a scale called theUV index. The UV index value is directly proportional to the risk ofharm from exposure. If the value is from 0-2.9, for example, the UVradiation presents a very low risk of harm to the average person. If theUV index at a particular time is above 11, however, an average person isat a very high risk of harm if they are unprotected.

Multiple techniques for protecting people from the harmful effects of UVradiation currently exist, including sunscreen. However, users ofsunscreen commonly forget to reapply sunscreen when it is necessary foradequate protection.

In view of the prior art, a compact, interactive device capable ofmeasuring the direction of incoming UV light and alerting the user ofthe need to apply sunscreen is needed for complete monitoring of theuser's UV exposure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings illustrate the concepts of the present invention,and are not necessarily drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the operation of an exemplary UV monitoringdevice.

FIG. 2 depicts a front view of one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a close-up view of how the UV monitoring device of FIG. 2 willdisplay the intensity of multiple directional components of incomingradiation to the user.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method used to display different sizedarrows in different directions.

FIG. 5 depicts a system of using the UV monitoring device to allow boththe user and the user's healthcare practitioner to view the informationstored by memory on the device.

FIG. 6A displays an exemplary screenshot of an application that allowsthe UV monitoring device to display information to the user about theuser's UV exposure.

FIG. 6B displays an exemplary screenshot of an application that allowsthe user to input sunburns that the user experienced and to view a UVindex forecast.

FIG. 6C displays an exemplary screenshot of an application that allowsthe UV monitoring device to display to the user the user's hour-by-hourexposure level to UV radiation and the hour-by-hour UV index forecastfor the user's location.

FIG. 6D displays an exemplary screenshot of an application that allowsthe UV monitoring device to display to the user the user's exposure timeto UV radiation with and without sunscreen in different time intervalsand time frames.

FIG. 6E displays an exemplary screenshot of an application that allowsthe UV monitoring device to display the number of sunburns that the userexperienced in a given month.

FIG. 6F displays an exemplary screenshot of an application that allowsthe UV monitoring device to identify to the user the locations on theuser's body of the sunburns that the user experienced.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Overview:

While embodiments of this invention can take many different forms,specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and will bedescribed herein in detail with the understanding that the presentdisclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principlesof the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to aspecific embodiment illustrated.

An embodiment comprises a portable device capable of notifying a user ofboth the ultraviolet index in the user's present environment and thedirection of incoming UV radiation. It also is capable of recording theuser's exposure to UV radiation over long periods of time and providesthe user with recommendations as to how to minimize UV exposure ifnecessary.

An embodiment comprises an easily accessible device worn on the user'swrist, for example, that provides a user-interface that allows the userto input personal information such as skin type on the Fitzpatrickscale, the SPF value for the sunscreen being used, occupancy, and age.The embodiment also includes a UV radiation detector coupled to aprocessing unit that determines the UV index and direction of incomingUV light. This information is made available to the user via a display.Recorded UV index information is stored, and this stored information isused to provide recommendations to the user for minimizing risk fromexposure to UV radiation, such as when to reapply sunscreen and whatkind of clothes to be wearing.

An embodiment comprises a wireless transmitter that sends obtainedinformation to the user's cell phone, computer, tablet, or othernetwork-connected device. From the user's network-connected device, theuser can view the information obtained by the radiation detector andmonitor the user's long-term UV exposure via an interactive applicationthat synchronizes with the device.

One embodiment is displayed in FIG. 1, a block diagram displaying theoperation of an exemplary ultraviolet monitoring device. The UVmonitoring system 100 includes a UV sensor 105, an orientation unit 110,a CPU (central processor unit) 115, a display unit 120, a user inputunit 125, a memory unit 130, a power source unit 135, and an indicatorunit 140.

The UV sensor 105 detects incidental radiation on the UV monitoringdevice 100. For example, the UV sensor 105 can comprise a photodiode,such as the TOCON_E2 by sglux, which continuously measures a voltageproportional to the UV index. UV sensor 105 also can include a pluralityof individual UV sensors each facing a distinct direction. The CPU 115receives and analyzes the measured data from the sensor 105 at apredetermined rate (e.g. once per second), and relays it to the memoryunit 130, which can comprise any computer-readable memory. Storedinformation, including for example the UV index, the time, and a usernickname (set by the user upon device initialization) is displayed tothe user via the display unit 120. The user inputs information to thedevice 100 via the user input unit 125. Such information may include,for example, the SPF value of sunscreen that the user applied and thetime when it was applied. The user input unit 125 also can include areset button to allow the user to restart measurement of UV radiation.In some embodiments, the CPU 115 uses the information received from theuser input unit 125 to determine the amount of time that has elapsedsince the user applied sunscreen and to generate user alerts. Forexample, it may alert the user via the display unit 120 to reapplysunscreen. Advice icons also may be displayed to the user via displayunit 120. For example, the user can be notified of the optimal clothingto wear, whether to apply sunscreen of a particular SPF value, orwhether to seek shade. Power is supplied by the power source unit 135,which may comprise a rechargeable battery that can be recharged eitherby USB connection or induction, for example. It also might comprise asolar cell. UV index information is displayed to the user in real timevia the indicator unit 140, which may comprise 5 light emitting diodes(LEDS) that are the same colors, respectively, as the EPA UV-laddercolor: green (0-2), yellow (3-5), orange (6-7), red (8-10), purple(11+).

FIG. 2 displays a front view of one example of a UV monitoring device100. It may be worn on the wrist so as to allow the user to view theinformation on the display 120. The display 120 notifies the user of theremaining power of the power source unit 135, the time, the UV index,clothing recommendations, and the direction of incoming UV radiation viathe directional indicator 145. Placement of the monitoring device 100 onthe user's wrist also facilitates the UV detector 105 being able todetect an amount of UV radiation that is an accurate representation ofthe radiation to which the user actually has been exposed. The userinputs when sunscreen has been applied by pressing the user input unit125 which starts a timer that will notify the user when sunscreen shouldbe reapplied. In addition to displaying the UV index on the screen 120,the device also displays this information via the indicator unit 140which comprises 5 LEDS that are the same color as the EPA UV-laddercolor: green (0-2), yellow (3-5), orange (6-7), red (8-10), purple(11+). The device 100 is supported by housing 150, which can bewaterproof, and also includes a means for attaching the housing to theuser's body or to the user's clothing. The UV monitoring device of thepresent invention can take many forms and be attached to the user's bodyin a variety of different ways. For example, the housing can take theform of a pendant, a button, or a device having the appearance of awristwatch, etc. The attachment means can take the form of a band, astrap, a chain, a clip, an eyeglass frame, glue, fasteners, thread, etc.A discussion follows of the exemplary embodiment of the device takingthe form of a wrist watch, but similar techniques may be used fordevices having different forms.

Typically, a UV monitoring device worn on the user's wrist will not havea constant orientation with respect to the UV radiation. This can affectthe readings of the UV sensor 105, and would affect the accuracy of thevalue of the UV index displayed to the user but for the use oforientation unit 110. The orientation unit detects the orientation ofthe UV sensor 105 and outputs signals indicative of the displacement ofthe device from its default orientation. For example, orientation unit110 can include, as is known in the art, a digital gyroscope, a digitalthree-axis gyroscope, a digital accelerometer, a combination of 3-4accelerometers without a gyroscope, or a gyro sensor-accelerometercombination allowing for six axes of acceleration measurements. Usingthe signals output from the orientation unit 110, CPU 115 determines theorientation of the detection face of the UV sensor 105. For example, itcould be facing upward (i.e. away from the ground), downwards (towardsthe ground), or in another direction. For purposes of the presentapplication, the terms “upward” and “downward” include not only thedirections pointing respectively directly away from and toward thecenter of the earth, but directions within a predetermined range ofthose directions. This predetermined range can be set at any value (e.g.5 degrees), such that for any output of the orientation unit 110indicating a device orientation within that range of degrees from thedefault orientation, an orientation of upward, for example, will berecorded for that output. CPU 115 concurrently records the UV index anddevice orientation at a predetermined frequency (e.g. 1/second), and themeasured UV index from the UV sensor 105 is paired with itscorresponding device orientation in a lookup table which is stored inmemory unit 130. Using this data, CPU 115 creates a separate UV indexaverage for each one of a number of pre-determined directions, whichremoves noise from the data collected to facilitate accurate monitoringof the user's exposure. In some embodiments, there can be multiple UVsensors, possibly with each of the multiple UV sensors facing differentdirections for a given orientation of the monitoring device. In thatcase, the information from each of the UV sensors can be used in thedetermination of the UV index average for each of the pre-determineddirections.

FIG. 3 is an example of a close-up view of the UV directional indicator145. UV radiation is invisible, which makes it difficult for a person todetermine the direction from which the radiation is coming. For example,one can be unexpectedly exposed to UV rays that are reflected from thesurface of a building. The UV direction indicator 145 separatelydisplays to the user the intensity of UV radiation coming from multipledifferent directions. As discussed above, the combination of the UVdetector 105 and orientation unit 110 allow the device to determineseparately the UV intensity for different directions. For example, thedirections of from above, from one side, and from below may have beenchosen when the CPU 115 was programmed. In other examples, otherdirections and another number of directions may have been chosen.Regardless of which directions have been chosen, this differentiationenables the user to determine the relative intensities of UV radiationcoming from different directions. For example, if the largest average UVintensity measurement occurs from below, the user is notified ofexposure to strong reflected UV radiation. The display 120 notifies theuser of the relative magnitude of the measured average UV index in eachof multiple directions using the directional indicator 145. For example,it can use one arrow that is representative of each one of the chosendirections, respectively. For example, the length of each arrow isrepresentative of the average measured intensity of the UV radiationbeing received from the direction associated with that arrow as comparedto that being received from the directions associated with the otherarrows. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, the lowest intensity ofradiation is coming from the side, as indicated by the smallest arrow165. The largest intensity of radiation is coming from the below, asindicated by the largest arrow 170. The medium-sized arrow 160 indicatesto the user that an intermediate intensity of radiation is coming fromabove. Using these three arrows, the user can determine, if necessary,where protection is needed to prevent further exposure. The directionalindicator also can display the magnitude of radiation received from eachof multiple directions in other ways. For example, for each of thechosen directions, a corresponding number could be displayed, or a bargraph could be displayed, to provide a more accurate representation ofthe UV intensity being received from each of the directions,respectively.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method used by CPU 115 to determine thesize of each arrow in the example illustrated in FIG. 3. In S201, themean UV index over a two minute period is calculated for each of thechosen directions. In S202, the chosen directions with the maximum,minimum and intermediate mean UV indices over a predetermined period aredetermined. A middle sized arrow is then set to be displayed in thedirection of the intermediate measured UV index in step S203. To avoidmisleading the user regarding the direction of incoming radiation, thesmall and large arrows are used only if the UV index in a particulardirection differs from the intermediate UV index by more than one. Instep S204, it is determined whether the maximum mean index measured inS202 is more than one greater than the intermediate mean index. If itis, the system moves to step S205, and a large arrow is used in thedirection of the maximum mean index. If it is not, the system moves toS206, and a mid-sized arrow is used in the direction of the maximum meanindex. In S207, it is determined whether the minimum mean index measuredin S202 is more than one less than the intermediate mean index. If itis, the system moves to step S208, and a small sized arrow is used inthe direction of the minimum mean index. If it is not, the system movesto step 209, and another mid-sized arrow is used in the direction of theminimum mean index. As a non-limiting example, the following pseudo-codeexemplifies the method discussed above:

 Every 2 minutes: Bottom_mean = sum (UV_index_bottom_direction)/#bottom_ direction_values Top_mean = sum (UV_index_top_direction)/#top_direction_values Side_mean = sum (UV_index_side_direction)/#side_direction_values Select the mid_value of the 3 means. That valueis drawn as a mid_size_arrow: Mid_size_arrow = mid_value_ of_means.Mid_size_arrow = mid_value_of_means If (mid_value_of_means + 1) > max(top_mean, bottom_mean, side_mean)  Then Mid_size_arrow = max (top_mean,bottom_mean, side_mean) (arrow is assigned) Else large_size_arrow = max(top_mean, bottom_mean, side_mean) (arrow is assigned) If(mid_value_of_means - 1) < min (top_mean, bottom_mean, side_mean)  ThenMid_size_arrow = min (top_mean, bottom_mean, side_mean) (arrow isassigned) Else small_size_arrow = min (top_mean, bottom_mean, side_mean)(arrow is assigned) Start again every 2 minutes.

This method allows the system to display different sized arrowsrepresenting the UV radiation received from three chosen directions.This allows the user to get an accurate sense of where protection isneeded with respect to potentially harmful UV radiation.

FIG. 5 depicts a system of using the UV monitoring device to allow boththe user and the user's healthcare practitioner to view the informationstored by memory on the device and to track the user's long term UVexposure. In the example of FIG. 5, the UV monitoring device 100 canconnect via a wireless technology standard connection such as BluetoothLE, for example, to the user's network connected device 200, such as acell phone, a computer, a tablet, etc. When a connection with device 200is established, an application on the device 200 will be opened. Thedevice 200 receives information stored on the memory unit 130 of the UVmonitoring device 100 at a predetermined frequency (e.g. every 15minutes), including the peak and average UV indices measured, atimestamp, data obtained from the orientation unit, SPF applicationtimes, and user nickname. On this application (described in more detailbelow), the user will be able to view long term statistics about theuser's long term UV exposure, and to enter information about receivedsunburn to allow for long term tracking of the user's sunburns. Theapplication can also have the capability of the user inputting alocation or the capability of tracking the user's location via GPS onthe network connected device 200, to allow it to retrieve alocation-specific UV index forecast for display. The user will have anaccount on the network server 300. From this account, personalinformation of the user; including age, occupation, ethnic origin, andskin type can be retrieved. This personal information will be input intoa predictive model that will compare the user's UV exposure to that ofsomeone having similar personal information. The predictive model alsocan be used to fill gaps in the user's long-term exposure data if theuser fails to wear the device for an extended period of time. The user'shealthcare practitioner 400 also will have access to the reportsgenerated on the network server 300 via the Internet to provide the userwith guidance on how to avoid harm to their skin from exposure. Suchaccess may be via a transmission directed to a uniform resourceidentifier (URI) of the healthcare practitioner, via a web portal, orvia a mobile application, for example. Every two weeks, for example, theuser will receive by email a review of the user's exposure and someadvice on how to improve the user's behavior if needed. As will berecognized by those in the art, there can be many variations of theexample described above.

FIGS. 6A-6F provide exemplary screenshots of the application that allowsthe user to view the information collected by the UV monitoring deviceover long periods of time. FIG. 6A shows three graphs that are displayedto the user. The graph 205 notifies the user of the user's totalexposure time to UV indices in various ranges. Graph 210 displays theamount of the total exposure without sunscreen, while graph 215 displaysthe amount of the total exposure with sunscreen. The user, by clickingon one of the graphs 205, 210, or 215, can display a total exposure timegraph 230 or graph 235 seen in FIG. 6C, which display to the user totalexposure as a function of time.

As seen in FIG. 6B, the application displays a UV index forecast 225 forthe user's particular location obtained from the EPA website. As seen inFIG. 6C, the background of the time graph 230 can have the UV indexforecast for the user to compare the measured UV index 232 to theforecast UV index 233 for the user's location. As also seen in timegraph 230, the background also can include the EPA UV-ladder colors. Asseen in similar time graph 235, the background can include indicationsof SPF protection during the same time periods.

The timeframe for which the total exposure time graph 230 shows theuser's exposure depends on which time panel 231 is selected by the user.If the user selects the time panel 231 corresponding to one day, thetotal exposure time graph will show total time exposure to UV radiationby the hour (as displayed in FIG. 6C). However, the user also mightselect a time panel 231 corresponding to one week, one month, or oneyear for example. In those cases, the time graph would show total timeexposure by the day, by the day or by the week, or by the week or by themonth, respectively, as appropriate.

In FIG. 6D, time panels 240, 245 and 250 show daily exposure for a week,daily exposure for a month, and monthly exposure for a year,respectively. Time panels 240, 245 and 250 show the total exposures withSPF protection and without SPF protection.

When the application is open on the user's network connected device,bottom selection icons 216, 217, and 218 may be displayed as seen inFIG. 6A. By pressing icon 216, the user can sync the network connecteddevice with the UV monitoring device to update the information displayedon the network connected device. When icon 217 is pressed, the user willbe brought to a screen giving the user information about the sun, sunprotection, how to avoid sun exposure and seek shade, clothing, how andwhen to apply sunscreen, and how to protect children. Icon 218 willallow the user to input account information to update the previouslydescribed predictive model.

As seen in FIG. 6B, the application provides a user input 220 thatallows the user to communicate when, and the body location where, theuser received sunburns. This allows the user's healthcare practitionerto monitor the user's skin condition. The user's inputs via the userinput 220 are stored and placed into a chart 255 for user review. In theexample displayed in FIG. 6E, the sunburn chart 255 displays the numberof sunburns the user has received by month. If the user clicks on thesunburn chart 255, a more detailed sunburn chart 260 (seen in FIG. 6F)shows the body locations of the sunburns.

From the foregoing, it will be understood that numerous modificationsand variations can be effectuated without departing from the true spiritand scope of the novel concepts of the present invention. It is to beunderstood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodimentsillustrated and described is intended or should be inferred.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for monitoring a user's exposure toultraviolet (UV) radiation, the monitoring device comprising: a UVsensor that detects UV radiation and that provides a signal indicativeof an amount of the incidental UV radiation on the monitoring device,wherein the signal from the UV sensor is a voltage that is proportionalto a UV index; a display unit; a power source; an orientation unit thatdetects displacement of the monitoring device from a default orientationand that transmits orientation data indicative of an orientation of themonitoring device; a control circuit including a processor, theprocessor being configured to receive the signal from the UV sensor, toreceive the orientation data from the orientation unit, to determine aUV index value for radiation being received from each of a plurality ofdirections, respectively, and to communicate UV exposure information tothe display unit for viewing by the user.
 2. The device of claim 1,wherein the UV exposure information comprises a recommendation to theuser for minimizing risk of harm from exposure to UV radiation.
 3. Thedevice of claim 2, wherein the recommendation to the user for minimizingrisk of harm from exposure to UV radiation comprises an advice icon. 4.The device of claim 2, wherein the recommendation to the user forminimizing risk of harm from exposure to UV radiation comprises anadvice icon indicating the optimal clothing to wear.
 5. The device ofclaim 2, wherein the recommendation to the user for minimizing risk ofharm from exposure to UV radiation comprises an advice icon indicating aparticular SPF value of sunscreen to apply.
 6. The device of claim 2,wherein the recommendation to the user for minimizing risk of harm fromexposure to UV radiation comprises an advice icon indicating that theuser should seek shade.
 7. The device of claim 1, further comprising auser input unit configured to enable the user to input at least one of:a signal indicating that sunscreen has been applied; a signal indicatingan SPF value of sunscreen that has been applied; and a signal to restartmeasurement of UV radiation.
 8. The device of claim 1, furthercomprising an alai in unit configured to notify the user when a presettime period has elapsed since sunscreen was last applied.
 9. The deviceof claim 1, further comprising: a wireless communication unit thatreceives information from a separate network connected device, and thattransmits at least some of the UV exposure information to the separatenetwork connected device; wherein the information received from theseparate network connected device comprises at least one ofenvironmental UV forecast information and user specific information. 10.The device of claim 1, further comprising a memory unit configured tostore UV index data; to store the orientation data; to store user inputsignals, if there are any; to store information, if there is any,received from a separate network connected device; and to store programinstructions that enable the processor to determine the UV index valuefor radiation being received from each of the plurality of directions,respectively, and to formulate the UV exposure information to becommunicated to the display unit.
 11. The device of claim 1, furthercomprising a wristband housing.
 12. The device of claim 1, furthercomprising an indicator unit that comprises a plurality of lightemitting diodes (LEDs), each one of the plurality of LEDs emitting lightof a different color than is emitted by any other LEDs of the pluralityof LEDs.
 13. The device of claim 1, wherein the processor determines theUV index value for radiation being received from each of a plurality ofdirections by associating the UV radiation data received for each pointin time with the orientation data received for the same point in time;and for each one of the plurality of directions, calculating a mean UVindex of the UV radiation received from that one of the plurality ofdirections over a predetermined period of time.
 14. The device of claim13, wherein the processor associates a rank with each one of theplurality of directions based on the UV index value for the radiationreceived from that one of the plurality of directions during thepredetermined period of time.
 15. The device of claim 1, wherein the UVexposure information comprises information indicative of the UV indexvalue for radiation being received from each of the plurality ofdirections.
 16. A UV monitoring system comprising: the monitoring deviceof claim 1; and a separate network connected device; wherein theseparate network connected device is configured to receive the UVexposure information from the monitoring device, and to transmit to themonitoring device information comprising at least one of environmentalUV forecast information and user specific information.
 17. The system ofclaim 16, wherein the user specific information comprises at least oneof information input by the user and historical information regardingthe user's UV exposure.
 18. The system of claim 16, wherein theinformation input by the user comprises at least one of age, occupation,ethnic origin, skin type, when the user received sunburn, and the bodylocation where the user received sunburn.
 19. The system of claim 16,wherein the separate network connected device is configured to generatea predictive model that will compare the user's UV exposure to that ofsomeone with similar personal information.
 20. The system of claim 16,wherein the separate network connected device is configured to render adisplay showing a representation of the user's UV exposure over a periodof time that is selected by the user.
 21. The system of claim 20,wherein the representation of the user's UV exposure differentiatesbetween exposure with sunscreen and exposure without sunscreen.
 22. Thesystem of claim 16, wherein the separate network connected device isconfigured to render a display showing a representation of the user'shistory of sunburn.
 23. The system of claim 16 wherein the separatenetwork connected device is configured to automatically transmit areport periodically that is accessible by a third-party device, thereport comprising at least some of the UV exposure information and theinformation transmitted by the separate network connected device to themonitoring device.
 24. A method for monitoring a user's exposure toultraviolet (UV) radiation, the method comprising: a UV sensor, thatdetects UV radiation, transmitting a signal indicative of an amount ofthe UV radiation received, to a control circuit, wherein the signal fromthe UV sensor is a voltage that is proportional to a UV index; anorientation unit, that detects displacement of the UV sensor from adefault orientation, transmitting orientation data, indicative of anorientation of the UV sensor, to the control circuit; a processor of thecontrol circuit determining a UV index value for radiation beingreceived from each of a plurality of directions, respectively; and thecontrol circuit communicating UV exposure information to a display unitfor viewing by the user, the UV exposure information being indicative ofthe UV index value for radiation received from each of the plurality ofdirections.
 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the determining stepcomprises: associating UV radiation data transmitted for each point intime with the orientation data received for the same point in time; andfor each one of the plurality of directions, calculating a mean UV indexof the UV radiation received from that one of the plurality ofdirections over a predetermined period of time.